Gun Barn coming to RKO in Wooster

WOOSTER -- For months Dennis Kisela said customers of Rural King Ohio have asked him about a rumor.

They have asked staff if the store was going to sell firearms.

"Yes, we are," Kisela said. "It's not a rumor.

Kisela is assistant manager of RKO's Wooster store, 3541 East Lincoln Way. But when the Gun Barn opens in mid-March he will head that department.

Tom White, owner/manager of the local RKO, said Rural King did test markets at about 16 stores under the company's umbrella about a year ago to see whether or not customers wanted to purchase firearms from stores. At the time, RKO in Wooster did not pick up guns because there was not enough space.

And those customers are anyone who enjoys "a rural lifestyle," White said.

A good segment of RKO Wooster's customers are farmers and the Amish. And White said customers frequently try to do their shopping in as few trips as possible. He said that especially for his Amish customers, it's important for RKO to serve as a "one-stop shop."

The Gun Barn is meant to do just that and will round out RKO's offerings, just before its 10th anniversary (Sept. 1).

The Gun Barn will be a new area of the sporting goods department.

White said managing space at RKO has been a constant endeavor and with the Gun Barn the store is taking an entire bay from the tire/auto service area and converting it into an enclosed area for firearm enthusiasts.

The Gun Barn will be essentially a separate area, unlike the RKO New Philadelphia store where firearms are meshed in with the rest of the retail offerings.

About 2,000 square feet will be dedicated to top brands of handguns, rifles, shotguns and "primitive" guns, along with the accessories for trap, skeet or target shooters.

White said RKO sells quite a bit of tree stands and some targets. But now in Wooster "we will have a complete offering for the sportsmen" of the area.

White added gun buyers today "almost have to leave Wayne County" to purchase firearms, with only a handful of local stores that sell them.

White pointed out the Gun Barn will not accept trade-ins; it is only licensed to sell firearms and ammunition.

In keeping with RKO's "shopper-tainment" policy -- which includes offering free popcorn and other events to have fun at the store -- events are planned for the Wooster store once the Gun Barn opens (currently slated for mid-March). White said a "ladies' day" is scheduled for May to introduce the store's offerings to female customers.

"We have team members now who are presently hunters ... they are anxious to work in the Gun Barn," White said, as current employees (such as Kisela) will shift into the firearms department and open up spots for new employees.

"I think it is a good opportunity because of the type of clientele (at RKO)," Kisela said, adding there is a sense of excitement as the Gun Barn opening nears. He said initially he will oversee four to five sales associates dedicated to firearms. "This is a good tie-in and will help grow us into a better one-stop shop."

And just in case any RKO customers were worried, White noted they have no intentions of reducing their current services.

"We will still offer tires and auto services (in Wooster)," White said, with just a bit less space dedicated to it.

Reporter Steve Huszai can be reached at 330-287-1645 or shuszai@the-daily-record.com. He is @GeneralSmithie on Twitter.